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Chrome plating uses electrolysis to bind a thin plate of chromium onto an object, usually an easily corroded metal. Chromium is an element found in nature, but it is not substantial on its own. You will not find things made of chrome alone, however, chrome plating provides a very bright, high-gloss, mirror-like metallic surface to automobile and motorcycle trim, bathroom fixtures, and many household and industrial objects. Resistant to tarnish, chrome plating serves to protect metals and reduce friction on surfaces. The process is highly specialized, requires use of highly toxic, volatile, and carcinogenic elements (such as chromic acid and sulfuric acid), and produces very hazardous waste. Knowing how to chrome plate may interest you, but you are advised to consider specific safety concerns.

Steps

Method1

Use chrome for decorative purposes

1

Use chrome to plate metals subject to corrosion, including steel, brass, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel, for decorative purposes.

Chrome reflects brighter, clearer, and with less distortion than other finishes, such as paint.

Decorative chrome plating electroplates nickel and chrome onto a target object, such as a wheel rim or a hood ornament.

The nickel is the source of the slickness, shine, and resistance in the chrome plating.

A very thin layer of chrome keeps the nickel from tarnishing, scratching, and rusting.

Method2

Use hard chrome for plating big, functional items

1

Use hard chrome, also known as "industrial" chrome or "engineered" chrome, to significantly eliminate wear and tear on large machines, such as those made of steel.

Hard chrome is not harder than other chrome plating, but rather thick enough that its hardness can be tested.

Hard chrome coats in measurements in the thousandths as opposed to the millionths in decorative plating.

Community Q&A

Plastic pieces are usually chrome plated with special sprays or sprays that imitate a chrome appearance. They are often fairly expensive for a relatively small amount. The plastic is cleaned, then rinsed with distilled water. It is sprayed with an adhesion promoter, and then the chrome solution. Then it is rinsed again with distilled water.

Aluminum doesn't particularly plate well with chrome, if at all, as it would most likely dissolve in the plating bath. You can get aluminum polishes that will make aluminum appear as chrome. You can also get aluminum protectant for additional corrosion resistance.

References

Article Info

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has also been viewed 242,596 times.